title: Depression among Black bisexual men with early and later life adversities.
abstract: This study examined the role of adulthood adversities in the relationship between childhood adversities and depression in 117 HIV-positive Black men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) and who have histories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Men were participants in the Enhanced Sexual Health Intervention for Men, a 6-session health intervention, and, at baseline, reported their experiences of CSA, childhood adversities, perceived discrimination, chronic stress, social support, and depressive symptoms. The relationship between childhood adversities, including CSA, and depression was mediated by experiences with racial and HIV discrimination, R² = .25, F(3, 112) = 12.67, p < .001, and chronic stress, R² = .17, F(3, 112) = 7.41, p < .001. Social support moderated the mediated effects of both racial and HIV discrimination, b = -.154, t(111) = -2.82, p < .01, and chronic stress, b = -.019, t(111) = -3.759, p < .01. Men's early adverse experiences were predictive of depression in adulthood; however, this relationship was largely affected by adulthood experiences, specifically discrimination, high chronic stress, and low social support. These findings illustrate pathways by which Black MSMW's early vulnerability for depression is either exacerbated or attenuated by their experiences as adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California.
authors.forename: Vincent C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California.
authors.forename: Hector F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of California.
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D063505:Racism / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult